The 2012 Pan-Mass Challenge raised $37 million. The 2012 fund-raising total is $2 million more than the event raised in 2011 and brings its 33-year Jimmy Fund contribution to $375 million.

The Fentins, former residents of Longmeadow, now make their home in Conway and are active in the Greater Springfield community. Susan Fentin is a past president and member of the board of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

On a hot and humid Aug. 4, the couple set out on their tandem bike in Wellesley to embark on their two-day, 165-mile round trip journey, to Bourne and back. They joined more than 5,000 other bicyclists and are proud to say they maintained a strong and steady push throughout their ride.

"It was incredible to be part of such a massive effort for such a wonderful cause," said Gary Fentin. "We witnessed thousands of riders, some of whom wore buttons saying, 'I'm living proof.' We saw thousands of volunteers and crowds of supporters lining the route with water or hoses to spray us with, cheering us with applause, bells and bagpipes, or calls or signs that read 'Thank you for riding.'"

This year was the 10th year in which Gary Fentin rode the Pan-Mass Challenge to benefit cancer research. He is an avid cyclist.

Susan Fentin, however, is not a cyclist, but the husband-wife team committed to this event to support their friends, family members, and colleagues who struggle with cancer.

They said their ride was not easy, given the heat and the rolling topography of the state of Massachusetts, but with countless words and notes of inspiration, the couple completed their ride, achieved their money raising goal, and even remain happily married.

"It was an amazing, emotional experience," said Susan Fentin. "The generous contributions of our sponsors will go a long way towards helping to find a cure. We are grateful for the support we received from our friends, relatives and clients."

Gary Fentin concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and real estate finance and development, industrial revenue bonds, affordable housing, estate planning, business law, and business workouts. He manages the firm's tax-exempt bond practice and has acted as bond counsel and purchaser's counsel in hundreds of such issues since 1978.

Susan Fentin concentrates her practice in the representation of employers in employment matters, including employment litigation in all courts and before administrative agencies; employment counseling, policy review and training; and a wide range of other areas of the law related to labor and employment matters.